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Lakland or Ibanez?

bordinco90

bordinco90

Dec 7, 2011
3,017
4,081
SW Louisiana
#1
I was wondering which bass would be better? The Lakland Skyline Deluxe 55-02 or the Ibanez SR1805E Premium? Both cost around the same price. I have played Ibanez basses before, but only the lower level SRs. The SRs play very nice with low action. I have never played a Lakland before, but heard that they are great basses. If you were choosing between these two basses which one would you pick?
 
#5
String spacing battle.
Lakland 19mm
Ibanez 16.5 mm
Basically what would you prefer for playing.
I'd go for lakland because they make a killer bass but that comes from biased experience.
So maybe the ibanez would be best for you since you have experience with their spacing already
 
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#10
beaglesandbass said:
I would pick Lakland over Ibanez any day of the week. One of the best basses I've ever played was a Lakland.
Click to expand...
Well I have never played a Lakland before, but they look like very quality built basses. The only thing that I am weary about is the Musicman Style Pickup on the Lakland. I had a Ray35 once and could not stand the overly trebly, clanky tone. I've watched vids on the Lakland and it appears to be toned down a little from the SBMM Ray35.
 
#12
grapevine said:
String spacing battle.
Lakland 19mm
Ibanez 16.5 mm
Basically what would you prefer for playing.
I'd go for lakland because they make a killer bass but that comes from biased experience.
So maybe the ibanez would be best for you since you have experience with their spacing already
Click to expand...
The spacing on the Ibanez for me took a little while to get used to. It was pretty tight. Right now a play a P bass and prefer the tone of a P bass over the a J bass (which is bacially what the Ibanez SR1805 is), but with the preamp of the Ibanez I can probably get a nice round sound out of the bass. I like the look of the Lakland and it really looks like a quality built bass (moreso than the Ibanez). I have never played a Lakland so I don't have any experience with the Lakland.
 
#16
Id take a premium Ibanez over almost any other bass to be honest especially a fiver. It comes down to what youre familiar with and what your preferences are. Do you like a thin narrow neck with tight spacing and a light thin body? Or do you like the more Fendery Lakland style and 35" scale? For me personally I cant stand the Lakland bridges aesthetically so that automatically rules them out for me, but thats a personal preference most other dont share.
 
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#17
bordinco90 said:
I was wondering which bass would be better? The Lakland Skyline Deluxe 55-02 or the Ibanez SR1805E Premium? Both cost around the same price. I have played Ibanez basses before, but only the lower level SRs. The SRs play very nice with low action. I have never played a Lakland before, but heard that they are great basses. If you were choosing between these two basses which one would you pick?
Click to expand...
I have 3 Skyline Laklands and have contemplated a Premium series Ibanez as well. Here's what it comes down to: The Lakland 55-02 is a little more of a "traditional" style bass, while the Ibanez SR1805E is its own beast. The Lakland will be able to reproduce several well known tones, has a larger body, a 35" scale, and a neck that is thinner than a Fender but not as small as a Ibanez neck. The Nordstrand Big Singles in the Ibanez are great sounding pickups, and fairly versatile, but they won't (IMO) give you a P, Jazz, or MM tone. The Necks and bodies of Ibanez basses are notorious slim, which for a smaller guy like me is a plus, but for others might feel funny. The one thing I really have against the Ibanez is that it seems to disappear quickly into the mix. If you are looking for a something that sticks out, it isn't a good choice.
 
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#18
the SR1805e is my favorite 5 string bass of all time - for that matter, i really love the 4 string version, as well. really good and very versatile tone (love those nordy big singles pickups and that preamp, which i discovered you can't buy separately - darn it!), and the SR1805e is light and slim, so very comfortable to play. i like the lower SRs, too, but the pickups and pre in the premium series are an entirely different animal than what you'll find in the regular SR series, and if you like the look of mixed natural woods, the SR1800e and SR1805e are beautiful, but more important, i've played 'em through a wide variety of amps and can always dial in a tone i like.
 
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#19
I'd have to say that the Lakland smokes nearly everything else in the price range and then some. Even the Skyline series is top quality stuff, from what I've experienced. Although, if you like the tone of a P, you're not going to get that out of the 55-02. I, too, love the P bass tone and bought a 55-01 with Delano pups for a fiver.. while it sounds really great and plays fantastic, it just has a very modern tone to it that I keep picking my franken P over.
 
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#20
the Ibanez premium and prestige models are the bees knees. laklands are the kittens mittens. two totally different beasts that are both very well made. if you liked the cheaper sr models you will love the upper range ones. pretty crazy differences so hands on would be great. look at here for used models for cheap :)
 
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